Pellet Grenades Fired to Quell Melee at Central Jail
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LOS ANGELES — Sheriff’s deputies fired special grenades that release hard rubber pellets to quell a melee by dozens of jail inmates fighting over which television program to watch, authorities said.
The disturbance in the Men’s Central Jail on Sunday night left 15 inmates with minor cuts and bruises, said Deputy Irma Becerra. The fight began shortly before 11 p.m. in a dormitory for new prisoners, Becerra said. “Several inmates began arguing over which television channel they wanted to watch” on the prison TV set, she said.
Other inmates joined in, and a melee erupted during which some prisoners tried to tear apart their beds to use the metal supports as clubs, Becerra said.
“Deputies moved in before the inmates could use any weapons against each other,” said Deputy Bill Martin. A platoon of 40 deputies broke up the fight in about 10 minutes by firing the grenades.
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